Thread: Water Spots

Worse comes to worse. Put a piece of scotch tape over the gold etch, then u can use metal polish on a Q-Tip to gently remove the stain. I have a Dovo that's done the same thing, so your not the only one.

I finally gave up chasing it, and letting it do its thing . It isn't affecting the shave, that's for sure.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Trouble with that is the razor will rust in no time under those conditions. Simply use a water displacing oil like Inox MX-3 or WD40.

The "WD" in WD-40 stands for water displacement. It was developed by scientists in the Atlas rocket program for use preventing icing on the nose of the rockets. I use it in locks to prevent and correct corrosion. It's not that great as a lubricant but it's really good at preventing corrosion. Rust, which is corrosion, is caused by oxidation and the main culprit of that is water. Even water molecules in the air can cause corrosion.

All that being said I don't oil my razors either. I dry them well (ocd well) and put them away. I probably should leave them open but I don't. I do however dry them like mad with the toilet paper in between the scales.That's also why I like the box. I figure, whether rightly or wrongly, that the cardboard or wood will help to absorb any residual moisture with that I was unable to get with a towel and then toilet paper. I'm very anal retentive about getting every nook and cranny.

I have quite a few razors, so razors sometimes do not get used for a few weeks. Making sure the razor is completely dry before being stored is critical. I dry the blades with a towel and then oil my blades with a 50/50 mixture of mineral oil and isopropyl alcohol. The isopropyl alcohol readily mixes with any moisture left on the steel and as the alcohol evaporates removes the water as well leaving behind a very thin layer of oil to protect the blade. If it is available in your area, I recommend 91% isopropyl alcohol as it has less water in it than the more common 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol. The mineral oil can be anything from medical grade mineral oil, gun oil, sewing machine oil, WD40, etc.

Originally Posted by rolodave

Do not oil until the blade has air dried for several hours. The OIL can trap moisture.
Patina or pristine is the users choice. Do what keeps you happy.

Absolutely what Dave said! Don't oil while there is even the possibility of moisture still on the blade...it keep the water from evaporating completely.

Stropping on anything flat and cloth-like (even folded newspaper, which you'll see discussed elsewhere) dries the bevel. Then I put my razor somewhere open to dry room air -- not in the bathroom -- (mine goes on top of my bedroom TV cable box, and when it's been there for a day, I either shave with it again, or put it away, oiled if I'm not going to use it for more than a month. Otherwise, it goes into a silicon treated razor sock or a dry storage box or drawer with desiccant in it. I have significantly more than one, but not as "significantly more" than some of the folks here.

In the end, it's a tool. Breathe deeply and sweat it not, as the philosophers would say.

Newbies! I got custom razors that cost 5 times what that razor cost and they have water spots. Get over it. You start going in trying to get rid of it and you will more than likely lose your edge. Next time it needs honed send it off they will buff it. I live in 90percent humidity in Memphis. I don’t oil. Leave out to dry then put away. If it’s going up for long periods(6 months or more) it gets ten wax then goes in the safe. My users are all in shaving mugs in my bedroom no oil. Drying s the key. It’s water sports so it’s going to hsppen

I get what you're saying TC. It's a tool and it is going to be used but I also know that he's new to it and got a beautiful new razor. He's proud of it and I don't blame him. I remember the days when I got my father's razor. Rest in peace Dad. I was horrified when I pulled it out of the box and it had pits on it. In retrospect they were pretty minor considering but I remember it looking like new...the way he always kept it. It will clean up AND he will get more used to it taking some wear. It's just exciting being new to it. I remember those days fondly.

"Newbies! I got custom razors that cost 5 times what that razor cost and they have water spots. Get over it".

What's the take away from this post?

You have more experience than me, your razors are worth more than mine or you don't dry them any better than me?

I hope you don't mind if I don't get over it.

My less expensive razor is only a week old and I want to keep it nice.

Originally Posted by STF

My less expensive razor is only a week old and I want to keep it nice.

Absolutely. I've only experienced discoloration on my blades when something interrupts my shave and lather sits on the blade for a little too long, gotta watch out for that.

Aside from that, cleaning it up is always tricky, of course we wouldn't wanna damage the edge in any sorts.

Rinse off, wipe off, strop, store away works well for me, add in oil if you want after drying.

Good luck, it's only normal to keep your tools in good condition and well maintained, no matter the cost.

I know not much about devil's spit or discoloration, but for rust to form we need: iron, water AND oxygen. Oil up well and you shouldn't have much to worry about.

Originally Posted by TristanLudlow

Absolutely. I've only experienced discoloration on my blades when something interrupts my shave and lather sits on the blade for a little too long, gotta watch out for that.

Aside from that, cleaning it up is always tricky, of course we wouldn't wanna damage the edge in any sorts.

Rinse off, wipe off, strop, store away works well for me, add in oil if you want after drying.

Good luck, it's only normal to keep your tools in good condition and well maintained, no matter the cost.

I know not much about devil's spit or discoloration, but for rust to form we need: iron, water AND oxygen. Oil up well and you shouldn't have much to worry about.

.....What he said.

Steve--you have to get to know us. Some are more direct (blunt) than others, and some are pickier than others. To say what TC said in a different way, in the end, razors are tools. I understand the water spot thing. I have a pristine favorite that after 3 or 4 years had a spot one day. It upset me...still does, because it was restored by and gotten from one of the very senior folks here, and I had done my best to preserve it perfectly, because of that and because it gives the best shave of any I have ever had. I don't even trust myself to hone it, so I have preserved its edge by careful stropping and refreshing.

Sooner or later if you stick with this, you'll bang one on the faucet or drop it. Or the scales will just crack, probably through no fault of yours. Save your meltdown for then. In the meantime just say, "darn" or your choice of bad words, and let us know how irritated it makes you.
TC is right that when you send it to one of the guys to hone (which I recommend when the time comes) they'll neaten it up for you.

Hang in, and (I'll say it again), have fun!

Originally Posted by STF

"Newbies! I got custom razors that cost 5 times what that razor cost and they have water spots. Get over it".

What's the take away from this post?

You have more experience than me, your razors are worth more than mine or you don't dry them any better than me?

I hope you don't mind if I don't get over it.

My less expensive razor is only a week old and I want to keep it nice.